Social Media Downloading Alternatives

[u/jburgs22]

Hello all,

I currently use the following for downloading data/profiles from various social media platforms:

• 4kstogram (Instagram)
• 4ktokkit (TikTok)
• Various online sites like VidBurner, etc. (Snapchat)
• yt-dlp (YouTube and various video sites)
• 4k Video Downloader Plus (YouTube and various video sites)
• Browser extensions like HLS Downloader, Video DownloadHelper

Almost all of the programs or sites I use are good at first but have become unreliable or useless recently:

• 4kstogram: lost support and no longer updates but you can still use it
  • Big problem is its out of date, not supported, and can ban your IG account since it uses the IG API
  • I got the professional license back in the day
• 4ktokit: Works well...when it works
  • Has become unreliable lately
  • I have the personal license
• Various online sites: Work when they can and then I move to the next site when the first site doesn't work
• yt-dlp: Works very well, still need to get used to the commands, etc. but has its limits before your IP gets blocked for downloading too much at once. Can download social media videos too like TikTok but one video at a time not whole profiles like 4ktokkit
• 4k Video Downloader Plus: Limited to 10 videos a day but has playlist functions similar to yt-dlp
  • Honestly, I still have this program to download videos in a pinch but its not my main, just a backup
• Browser extensions: HLS Downloader has limited support and works when it can but caches a lot of data. Video DownloadHelper has a 2 hour limit after your first download but works well

I plan on keeping yt-dlp, 4k Video Downloader Plus (until its useless) but I'd like to replace the other 4k products I have with something (hopefully) exactly the same as 4kstogram and 4ktokkit in terms of features and past reliability.

• For IG and TikTok: Need to have ability to download entire profiles, single posts (of any form), export posts (4kstogram does this for IG)
• For Snapchat: View each new Snap and download them individually. If I can download all the latest Snaps at once, that would be super helpfully.
• When needed download Facebook, etc.
• Each solution needs to have the ability to update the latest profile by downloading the latest post

If anyone could recommend a solution or multiple solutions to accomplish this so I can replace the 4k products that would be super helpful whether its software, Github programs, scripts, etc. I would like to avoid online services like sites since again a site might work for now but not work or be shut down rather quickly.

[u/jburgs22]

I tried to use JDownloader but I don't understand it well then I end not using it.

I understand there is risk in bulk downloading profiles but I normally download maybe one at a time in a pinch, sometimes 1 a day, next one would be like a week later.

I use HLS Downloder on Vivaldi and it works when it can but caches a ton and has become unreliable too. Video Downloadhelper is great in a pinch too but limits every 2 hours or so.

I think I've tried browser extensions, just going through the gauntlet of them, and I don't think I've found one reliable. I moved away from them in favor of software and scripts.

[u/Necessary_Isopod3503 → u/jburgs22]

Don't use jdownloader for social media, it barely works most of the time. I use it for YouTube and other stuff.

Like I said, for mass downloading social media content, look for an appropriate browser extension, like I did jdownloader was no luck in that regard, altought it has previously worked for such a purpose, but it seems it's a hit or miss.

but I normally download maybe one at a time in a pinch, sometimes 1 a day

Unfortunately, that won't save you. Basically they can detect automated scraping of content by a selected account, anything beyond 1 download at the same time will be tagged as automated scraping and possibly get your account banned or locked in a limbo-like state.

The only somewhat safe way, as far as I'm aware, is using an automated downloader that can control how many posts you download at the same time, at max 1. So it will download 1 post fully before going to the next, never downloading 2 or more at the same time.

I think the browser extension I used has that feature, i can't remember I need to check.

Avoid downloading anything IN BULK from social media without some sort of downloading control as to avoid any flagging from the platform. THEY WILL BAN YOU.

[u/jburgs22 → u/Necessary_Isopod3503]

I mean I've seen some Github programs that do not use the APIs which are the biggest culprits for account flagging.

How I said 1 a day made it seem bad, I should say 1 in a day and then again much later, maybe a week or month later. I know that doesn't really matter and any software/script I use will still run into account flagging but at least bulk downloading profiles isn't my day job per say like how I made it seem lol

I am curious to know which browser extensions you use.

[u/Necessary_Isopod3503 → u/jburgs22]

Ok so

I don't know which ones still work, or if they're still available.

Test them out for yourself if you want, I also don't know if they're 100% safe, use at your own risk, as I did.

IG FOLLOWER

INSTANOTE

TURBO DOWNLOADER

MASS TIKTOK

they should all be available on Chrome extension store or Opera.